Mount Grace
Mount Grace | |
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monadnock; metamorphic rock | |
Climbing | |
Easiest route | Metacomet-Monadnock Trail |
Mount Grace, 1,617 feet (493 m), is a prominent
The north side of Mount Grace drains into the Ashuelot River, thence into the Connecticut River, then Long Island Sound; the west side drains into the Connecticut River via Mill Brook; and the south and east sides drain into the Millers River, thence into the Connecticut River.[2]
History
Mount Grace is named after Grace (Sarah) Rowlandson, the daughter of
Picnic area
In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps built a picnic area on the west side of Route 78, at the bottom of the mountain, below the Gulch. The banks of the brook were walled with stone. The Corps also built a picnic area with stone fireplaces and grills, and road access to it. The hardwoods were thinned out, leaving only the White Pines.[citation needed]
In the 1980s, the State ceased maintaining the picnic area. Brush grew up. The area started the transition back to forest. By the late 1990s many of the big White Pines were dead. The State logged the area, and left the slash on the ground to help new trees grow.[citation needed]
The summit also has a small picnic area.
Recreation and conservation
Mount Grace is located within the 1,458-acre (590 ha)
In 2000, Mount Grace was included in a study by the
The Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust, active in the area, takes its name from Mount Grace.[5]
Warwick Fire Tower
Warwick Fire Tower is a fire lookout tower on the summit of the mountain. The first Warwick Fire Tower was a 40’ iron windmill type tower with a ladder and 6’x6’ cab built in 1911. It was replaced in 1920 with a 68’ iron tower that served until blown down by the 1938 hurricane. The present 68’ steel tower with 10’x10’ wooden cab was constructed in 1939.[6] In spring of 2010, the fire tower was completely rehabilitated. It remains in service as an active state tower. It is staffed from March–May, and late August–October depending on fire danger. In 2004 this tower was listed on the National Historic Lookout Register as US 628, MA 39.
References
- ^ a b The Metacomet-Monadnock Trail Guide. 9th Edition. The Appalachian Mountain Club. Amherst, Massachusetts, 1999
- ^ DeLorme Topo 6.0 Mapping software. DeLorme, Yarmouth, Maine.
- ^ a b "Mount Grace State Forest". Energy and Environmental Affairs. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved 2014-03-15.
- ^ "Monadnock, Metacoment, Mattabesett National Scenic Trail Study". Archived from the original on 2007-10-08. Retrieved 2007-11-04.
- ^ "Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust". Retrieved 2007-12-12.
- ^ "Warwick Fire Tower". National Historic Lookout Register. Retrieved 2014-03-15.
External links
- Mount Grace State Forest at MassParks
- Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust
- Metacomet Monadnock Trail Berkshire Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club
- http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=428834